Integrating a KMS, Essay Example

Integrating a KMS with another e-system is a complex process. The model selected to measure the progress of an organization seeking to integrate its KMS with its IS is a maturity model, the Knowledge Management Systems Integration Maturity Model (KMSI-MM),  from Schwartz and Tauber (2009). The model delineates four levels of maturity in the organization’s progress towards integration of the KMS and the IS: Independent design and development of the systems; Post-development integration; Independent design, coordinated development, and lastly, Integrated design and development. At every stage the maturity of the organization, its progress towards the goal of integration, is measured by five key elements: commitment to perform, ability to perform, activities performed, measurement and analysis, and finally, verifying implementation. The research methodology employed is that of action research, which differs from the Case Study approach in that it models cycles of interaction with the organization in question, using the results of each round of modeling to inform and guide the organization towards the next stage.

The foundation of the whole approach is business processes, which can be modeled in terms of passive and active participants. At first, the two systems function as two separate, parallel systems: they are not integrated at all. Team competence is very high, but only within the team—there is no organizational unity towards an overarching strategic goal. In the second stage of the model, the two systems are integrated after they have already been designed and developed separately: integration is very shallow and superficial. The third stage marks greater maturity, as both teams are now actively seeking integration in accordance with the goals of the organization as a whole. Finally, there is integration: both teams are synchronized. Although they still perform separate functions, the work of each team complements the other, and they work in accordance with the strategic aims of the organization as a whole.